Throngs of theater lovers braved the rain to enjoy a series of free performances from Broadway hits in the heart of Times Square on Sunday as part of the city’s ongoing 400th anniversary celebrations.
Fans packed the Great White Way’s famed Duffy Square at Broadway and Seventh Avenue to enjoy musical numbers from nearly two dozen popular shows including “Wicked,” “Mamma Mia!” “The Book of Mormon” and “Chicago.”
The casts from 23 shows performed – with many of the actors walking right over from their theaters and then strolling back when they were done to prepare for Sunday matinees.
The crowd was a mix of theater lovers who specially traveled to Times Square for the event and tourists who happened upon it and were equally delighted by what they found.
“When I think of New York, I think of Broadway, but we didn’t think we’d be walking around and get to see it all just happening in the middle of Times Square,” said Terry Bush, a 47-year-old mom who was visiting the city with family from Milwaukee.
“Our plan for this trip is to see ‘Lion King,’ but maybe next time we’ll do something a little different,” she said.
Others sought out the Times Square show because of the rare opportunity to catch a performance without paying.
“I love Broadway, but tickets to see every show can be so expensive, so I always try to come to free events like this,” said Tamara K., a 19-year-old NYU student who didn’t mind the scattered showers that fell on the crowd.
“It was really cool to see Christopher Jackson performing, I know him from ‘Hamilton,’ ” the college student said.
“I’m hoping I can see ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ sometime soon,” she said, referring to Jackson’s latest show.
Sunday’s event was part of Mayor Eric Adams’ “Founded by NYC” program, a year-long series of public events celebrating the city’s founding 400 years ago.
“There’s only one Broadway, and there’s only one New York City,” Broadway League President Jason Laks said in a statement about the event. “The heart of Times Square is the perfect place to celebrate Broadway’s legacy.”
Theater-lovers who enjoyed the show agreed.
“Part of why I moved to New York was to be closer to Broadway and theater,” said another city student who traveled uptown for the show.
“I’m glad we can do stuff like this, even if it’s kind of rainy.”
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